Oregon Public Broadcasting

Washington’s largest state workers union sued Governor Chris Gregoire Tuesday because she included no pay raises in her budget proposal to the 2009 Legislature.

The union lawsuit accuses the Democratic governor and her budget director of breach of contract and “bad-faith bargaining.” 

Washington Federation of State Employees spokesman Tim Welch says during contract negotiations earlier this year, the union and the Gregoire Administration had agreed on two percent cost-of-living increases.

Tim Welch: “We just believe a deal is a deal.  She needed to forward that request and let the legislature deal with it as they wish.”

Governor Gregoire's office says the pay raises in the proposed labor contract are not financially feasible.

Washington State has a growing budget deficit.  The collective bargaining law theoretically gives the state an out when that’s the case.

Public employee unions spent millions helping the governor win re-election this year. 

Tim Welch says union leaders still consider the governor “a friend” despite the fact they’re suing her.

Online:

Washington Federation of State Employees